Following the ill-fated attempt to restore 1896 locomotive No. 9 Douglas launched in 1977 (which resulted in cancellation when the locomotive was sold to a third party) the funds that had been raised were ultimately put towards a new set of boiler tubes for 1905 locomotive No. 11 Maitland which underwent rebuild commencing in 1981.  The locomotive's return to service came in May 1982 when she appeared in the post-war Indian Red livery; this livery had not been carried by a service locomotive since 1965, with the Lord Ailsa regime seeing the fleet repainted into a new spring green colour scheme.

The return to service coincided with a Vintage Transport Festival and such was the hurry to see the locomotive in action, its first few weeks in traffic saw her operate without the lining out completed; the black lines had been applied but outer fine yellow lines were added after the event period concluded.  The boiler was the second new one under nationalisation, the first being fitted to the controversially re-built No. 12 Hutchinson complete with larger tanks, square cab and non-prototypical blue livery in 1981.

Remaining funds from the No. 9 appeal were ultimately put towards the Supporters' Association flagship project, the restoration of the Groudle Glen Railway, which commenced in the same year.  No. 11 saw service until 2006 when she was withdrawn from service pending major works and she remains in dismantled form in the sheds at Douglas Station awaiting further works at this time.